Frank H. L. Paton

Francis Hume Lyall[a] Paton (1870 – 28 September 1938),[1] commonly referred to as Frank, was a Presbyterian missionary and minister in Victoria, Australia.

History

Frank H. L. Paton

Paton was born in Aniwa, New Hebrides, to Rev. Dr. John Gibson Paton (24 May 1824 – 28 January 1907), one of the first missionaries to the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu), and his second wife Margaret "Maggie" Paton, née Whitecross, (1841–1905), whom he married in 1864.[2]

He gained his MA degree in Glasgow and Melbourne, was ordained in Melbourne in November 1895, and worked as a missionary in West Tanna, New Hebrides, from 1896 to 1902, when he was forced to leave through ill health.[3] He was then appointed the Presbyterian Church's foreign mission agent before taking charge of the Dunolly church 1904–1907 and serving as the Presbyterian church of Victoria's foreign mission secretary, 1908–1925.[4]

In 1922 he was elected moderator (synod president) of the Presbyterian Church in Victoria.[5]

He was a delegate to the Council of Churches in Victoria and succeeded A. E. Illingworth as president in 1924,[6] but was unable through illness to see out his full year, and from March 1925 his duties were performed by the vice-president, W. S. Pearse.[7] Nevertheless, in June 1925 he was able to take charge of the Deepdene Presbyterian church.

He retired around 1936 and died at his Deepdene home after a long illness,[1] and his remains were buried at the Burwood cemetery.[8]

Recognition

The Presbyterian church in Deepdene was renamed in his honor, and a window dedicated to his memory installed in 1946.[9]

Family

Paton married Clara Sophia Hayer (3 September 1875 – 18 Jul 1966) on 19 February 1896.[10] Their family included:

• Professor George Whitecross Paton (1902–1985)
• Rev. J(ames) Kennedy Paton, Presbyterian minister at Woodford, Victoria
• Francis Heyer Paton
• (Clara) Margaret "Peggy" Paton married Hadley P. Bunton, served as missioner in China
• Elizabeth Heyer "Betty" Paton, missioner in China, married Ashton
• Frances Amy Paton, married Boyd

They had a home at 44 Deepdene Road, Deepdene, Victoria.

Notes

1. It is likely he was (in part) named for his father's friend and brother-in-law, James Lyall of Adelaide.

References

1. "Rev. F. H. L. Paton". The Age. No. 26, 037. Victoria, Australia. 29 September 1938. p. 16. Retrieved 28 November 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
2. "General News". The Chronicle (Adelaide). Vol. 47, no. 2, 439. South Australia. 20 May 1905. p. 35. Retrieved 28 November 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
3. "Death of Rev. Dr Paton". The Leader (Melbourne). No. 2665. Victoria, Australia. 2 February 1907. p. 23. Retrieved 28 November 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
4. "The New Hebrides". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 19, 222. Victoria, Australia. 26 February 1908. p. 8. Retrieved 28 November 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
5. "The Churches". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 14, 360. Victoria, Australia. 25 March 1922. p. 24. Retrieved 28 November 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
6. "Council of Churches". The Sun News-pictorial. No. 633. Victoria, Australia. 20 September 1924. p. 33. Retrieved 28 November 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
7. "Church News". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 24, 533. Victoria, Australia. 25 March 1925. p. 10. Retrieved 28 November 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
8. "Council of Churches". The Sun News-pictorial. No. 633. Victoria, Australia. 20 September 1924. p. 33. Retrieved 27 November 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
9. "Memorial Window". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 21, 671. Victoria, Australia. 2 November 1946. p. 12. Retrieved 28 November 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
10. "A Popular Wedding". Geelong Advertiser. No. 15, 279. Victoria, Australia. 25 February 1896. p. 4. Retrieved 28 November 2024 – via National Library of Australia.